Notables:
The Mercy Now has been named the 2011 Y108 Rock & Roll Champion, receiving a $25,000 developmental package and will be sharing the stage with The Tea Party, Arkells and Helix at the Y108 Picnic August 6th in Hamilton.
The Mercy Now take the stage with Hawksley Workman and Helix at Wawapalooza!
‘The Full Story’ is featured by Fashion Magazine in their April 2011 Cover Shoot Video along with Canadian super model Daria Werbowy. Check it out HERE.
‘Hard Times’ has been named a Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. Sixteen songs were selected out of 15,000+ entrants.
Bio:
The Mercy Now | Toronto, ON
Four friends joined together making music to beg, scream, and shout to. We bring the healing power after the fall from grace. Four souls on bended knees asking forgiveness for the harmonious din and nightly sins. Redemption is always around the corner. Shout with us. Be forgiven. Be saved. Go home cleansed and stained. The hangover is your choice.
It’s not uncommon to find charismatic X-Shikasta front man soul-belter / bassist Russ Fernandes in the audience on bended knee, guitarist / keyboardist David Viva leaping from the bar or surfing the crowd, Adam Burnett raking his six string and vocal chords over the coals and Lee Rogers condemning the skins in a blinding sweat. This same energy is put into writing each song. They are all about the music and believe that without a good song, the spectacle means little. The band is only satisfied when every hand in the place comes together on the one and every voice is singing the hook.
The idea for the band came after Fernandes and Burnett returned from a trip to Kyoto, Japan near the end of 2005. Their good friend, luthier, and expert slide player Maruyama Yoshihiro would be moving from Kyoto to Toronto in the new year. The band was put together to provide a vehicle for all to jam in. Fernandes penned songs and Lee Rogers, originally a guitar player, would learn to play drums. However, with Shikasta and White Van Speaker Scam both calling it quits in 2006, the band became more serious and started taking on new songs and arrangements from each member. Yoshihiro departed shortly after live shows began to prepare for his new role as a father. Another long time friend and expert guitar slinger David Viva was recruited to fill those shoes and more. Recording began shortly thereafter at the band’s studio producing 2 EPs and a full length album.
In the summer of 2010, “Self Control” was recorded. Produced and mixed by Can-rock legend Ian Blurton and recorded in co-engineer Lee Rogers’ studio, “Self Control” delivers thirteen hook-drenched tracks cycling hope, despair and redemption. Recorded entirely to analog tape – mostly live off the floor – performed on a mass of vintage gear, the grooves are both brash and bold. Bulldozing bass, visceral guitar riffs, textured keys, beats to and from the gut, sweet harmonies and a voice seeking salvation. “Self Control” was released at the Silver Dollar in Toronto on October 22nd, 2010 and is now available on vinyl and digital download.
Influences…
THE STAX movement, MC5, Small Faces, Refused, James Brown, Otis Redding , Curtis Mayfied, Black Flag, The Stooges, TV on the Radio, Prince, Sly and the Family Stone, Frank Black, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Hall, Tribe Called Quest, Off the Wall-Micheal Jackson, NY dolls, The Bellrays, Ike and Tina, Chuck Berry, Elvis, Presley and Costello, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion , Bob Dylan, Bo Diddley…and the bands played on…
Contact The Mercy Now: mercy@themercynow.com